No matter what your fitness goals, you probably plan on wearing some sort of fitness tracker or smartwatch to help you get there. And despite the best effort of many companies, Fitbit isn’t just the company that kickstarted the wearable revolution, but is still, a dozen years later, the king of the hill. Generally, getting a fitness tracker means getting a Fitbit.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to pick one.
Since Fitbits get wrapped around a lot of different kinds of health-conscious wrists, there are a lot of models to choose from. Which one is right for you—the Fitbit Charge 3, the Versa 2, the Inspire HR? What about the Ionic or the Ace? I’ll help you wade through a sea of seemingly similar gadgets and choose the best one for your budget, needs, and goals. And at the end of the article, I’ve put together a buying guide to highlight how to shop for your next fitness band.
TL;DR – These are the Best Fitbits:
- Fitbit Charge 3
- Fitbit Versa 2
- Fitbit Ionic
- Fitbit Inspire HR
- Fitbit Inspire
- Fitbit Versa Lite
- Fitbit Ace 2
- Apple Watch Series 5
1. Fitbit Charge 3
Best Overall Fitness Band
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitCharge-31580103839056.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitCharge-31580103839056_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e78a3e4b09195bc9977e0%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm99%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Charge%203%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Atrue%7D”]
When you think about a fitness tracker, you probably imagine something very much like the Fitbit Charge 3. It’s got the best overall blend of features and capabilities so that—unless you have some unique needs—this band will get the job done. It covers all the basics. You get step and calorie tracking (naturally), heart-rate monitoring, and sleep tracking, along with automatic exercise tracking that includes swimming and floors climbed. Simply put, this is the most comprehensive collection of tracking features you’ll find in any Fitbit.
While it’s not a smartwatch—if you want one of those, consider the Versa 2 or the Ionic—you still get limited notifications from your phone. The Charge 3 also doesn’t have apps, music, on-screen workouts, or built-in GPS, but while it isn’t the most full-featured fitness band it gives you everything you need for workout tracking and at a great price to boot.
2. Fitbit Versa 2
Best Overall Smartwatch
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitVersa-21580104457725.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitVersa-21580104457725_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7b0fe4b0e6d43845e34f%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9a%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Versa%202%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
The Versa 2 hits the sweet spot in the fitness-themed smartwatch lineup. It has almost everything you’d expect to find in a smartwatch, but clocks in at a reasonable price because it dispenses with a few extras (like swim tracking and on-board GPS) you can probably live without. Of course, you get all the usual step, sleep, and exercise tracking, including floors climbed, a feature only a few models can claim.
A bright and readable always-on display runs apps and shows smartphone notifications. And in addition to quick replies, you can fire off voice replies as well. The Versa 2 has one unique feature: It fields voice commands via the built-in Amazon Alexa virtual assistant. And you can store hundreds of songs or play music from Spotify.
3. Fitbit Ionic
Best Smartwatch for Leaving Your Phone Behind
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitIonic1580104334569.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitIonic1580104334569_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7a94e4b09195bc9977e2%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9b%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Ionic%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
Looking for a gold-plated smartwatch that looks good when you’re not working out? Then strap on an Ionic, which does virtually everything the Versa 2 can do (with a couple of weird exceptions, like the lack of an always-on display, Alexa, and voice replies to text messages). It has all the usual Fitbit tracking—steps, calories, sleep, exercise, heart rate, and even both floors climbed and swim tracking.
But a few features take center stage. Not only does the Ionic have the biggest and best screen of any tracker in the Fitbit lineup, its built-in GPS means this is the only Fitbit watch you can take out for a jog and leave your phone at home. The Ionic also has an exclusive feature: Adidas-branded on-screen workouts.
4. Fitbit Inspire HR
Best Value Band
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitInspire-HR1580104617438.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitInspire-HR1580104617438_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7bade4b0e6d43845e350%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9c%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Inspire%20Hr%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
Fitbit offers a formidable lineup of health bands, but the Fitbit Inspire HR offers the most bang for the buck. Priced over 30 percent less than the “best overall band,” the Charge 3, you’re honestly not missing out on a lot. In the laundry list of tracking features—steps, calories, sleep, exercise, swim, and more, the only thing that’s missing is floors climbed.
It’s also somewhat less obtrusive than some bands, with a narrower, more understated display. And while the Inspire HR could have stopped there and most people would be happy, you even get call and text notifications, albeit without any ability to respond.
5. Fitbit Inspire
Best Budget Band
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitInspire1580104773934.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitInspire1580104773934_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7c49e4b0e6d43845e351%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9e%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Inspire%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
If all you need are the basics, the Fitbit Inspire has you covered. The least expensive band you can buy—the kid-focused Ace 2 notwithstanding—the Inspire is what to choose if you’re just warming up to the whole idea of fitness tracking and want to try it on a budget.
You get just the basics: steps, calories, and rudimentary sleep tracking, along with move reminders. There’s even simple call and text notifications. The Inspire may whet your appetite for more sophisticated exercise modes, heart rate monitoring, and sleep stage tracking, though, at which point you’ll need to upgrade to a model like the Inspire HR or the Charge 3.
6. Fitbit Versa Lite
Best Budget Smartwatch
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitVersa-Lite1580104972810.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitVersa-Lite1580104972810_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7d10e4b0e6d43845e352%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9f%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Versa%20Lite%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
Take the Versa 2, shave off a few features, and lower the price into fitness band territory. What do you get? The Versa Lite, a smartwatch that gives you most of the stuff you expect in a watch, minus a few features (that you might consider dealbreakers). You get all the usual fitness features except for floors climbed and swim tracking.
But despite being a smartwatch, you don’t get any on-screen workouts. If you don’t care about more advanced smartwatch features like Fitbit Pay and music storage, this could be a smart buy—and there are some more vibrant color choices, which might be important to you as well. But the Versa Lite lives on the razor’s edge of being making so many compromises that you might want to spend a few more dollars on the Versa 2.
7. Fitbit Ace 2
Best Band for Kids
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitAce-21580105127545.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FFitbitAce-21580105127545_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7dace4b09195bc9977e3%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9g%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Fitbit%20Ace%202%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
Want to get your kids into a fitness mindset without spending a fortune? Most Fitbits are overkill for kids, but the Ace 2 was built with kids aged six and up in mind. These colorful and rugged bands do just the basics—step and basic sleep tracking, move reminders, and call (but not text) notification. The mobile app experience is optimized for kids, and parents can set up a family account and monitor the kids’ activities.
8. Apple Watch Series 5
Best Fitbit that’s Not a Fitbit
[poilib element=”commerceCta” json=”%7B%22image%22%3A%7B%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FAppleWatch-Series-51580105376960.png%22%2C%22styleUrl%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fassets1.ignimgs.com%2F2020%2F01%2F27%2FAppleWatch-Series-51580105376960_%7Bsize%7D.png%22%2C%22id%22%3A%225e2e7ea4e4b09195bc9977e4%22%7D%2C%22url%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fr.zdbb.net%2Fu%2Fbm9h%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Apple%20Watch%20Series%205%22%2C%22store%22%3A%22Amazon%22%2C%22additionalInfo%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ourPick%22%3Afalse%7D”]
Fitbit has cornered the market on fitness trackers, but Apple really wants in on the health and fitness biz as well. The Apple Watch Series 5 is the first model worthy of being recommended in place of a Fitbit, though. The always-on display can be configured with a wealth of health and fitness complications, and like most Fitbits, the watch automatically senses a variety of exercises.
It can’t compete with the multi-day battery life of most Fitbits, nor does it do sleep tracking (at least, not without a third-party app and some serious compromises). But by syncing the watch to Strava or myFitnessSync, the Fitbit app can draw on Apple Watch tracking data, which is just short of magic and lets you continue using the Fitbit app even after switching to Apple.
What to Look for in a Fitness Tracker
If you’re in the market for a fitness tracker, the good news is that most Fitbits share the same set of core features. Most fitness trackers track steps, exercise, and activity level, as well as provide at least a rudimentary sort of sleep tracking—and trackers approximate a calorie count as well. (The only fitness tracker that purports to measure your actual calorie count is the very contentious Healbe Gobe, which claims to sense your glucose level.) From that basic set of features, though, trackers can vary quite a bit, with simpler models clocking in under $100 and advanced smartwatch models costing $200 or more.
These days, virtually all fitness bands can conveniently detect when you’re starting certain common kinds of exercise, but not all trackers are equipped to measure every kind of exercise. If you’re a swimmer or want to track stairs, your options will narrow significantly. And if you want to leave your phone at home when you go for a jog, look for models with integrated GPS (and perhaps even the ability to store music).
The key takeaway is that you don’t need a tracker bristling with sensors that can do everything—it depends upon what you want to track. If you never swim, you obviously don’t need swim tracking. And if you’re mainly trying to get your 10,000 steps in and don’t do intense workouts, you probably don’t need a heart rate monitor.
Since most fitness trackers go on your wrist, some try to replicate some smartwatch functionality. Many bands can display phone call and text notifications, for example, but the best smartwatch experience comes from a fitness tracker that’s actually shaped like a watch, with a large screen, support for apps, and perhaps even the option to show on-screen workout while you exercise.
Finally, keep an eye on battery life. While most Fitbits can run for at least four days on a charge, some can go as long as a week. And that’s not necessarily true of non-Fitbit trackers. The Apple Watch, for example, needs to be charged daily, which is one reason it has no built-in sleep tracking.
[widget path=”ign/modules/recirc” parameters=”title=More%20Expert%20Tech%20Roundups&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=tech-roundup&count=4&columnCount=4&theme=article”]
Source: IGN.com Hit the Track with the Best Fitbit for Activity Tracking